Addressing device



Sept. 28, 1965 R. H. EBERSTADT Y SICHEL ADDRESSING DEVICE Filed June 17, 1964 HG. Z

ENTOR WMM ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,208,771 ADDRESSING DEVICE Ramon Hubert Eberstadt y Sichel, Providencia 523-2, Mexico City, Mexico Filed .lune 17, 1964, Ser. No. 375,830 Claims. (Cl. 282-22) This invent-ion relates to an addressing devi-ce land more particularly to a device to facilitate the addressing of letters and their envelopes or labels simultaneously.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of a device of the type described which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and elicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble, and utilize.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an addressing device which may be utilized to reproduce an address being typed on a letterhead directly onto al1 envelope or `label with which the letterhead is to be mailed, or, vice versa, that is, to reproduce an address being typed on an envelope or label directly onto a letterhead to be mailed therewith.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an addressing device in the form of an .assembly of a transfer element which carries means for reproducing an indicia inscribed by pressure on an element juxtaposed to its front surface on a-n element juxtaposed to its rear surface, and an additional element removably secured to the rear surface of the transfer element to protect the same, the additional element comprising a label on which the indicia is to be reproduced in certain embodiments.

A still further object of this invention is to provide such device having means for temporarily adhering the front surface of the transfer element to a letterhead, envelope, label, or the like, and additional means for temporarily adhering the rear surface of .the transfer element to the complementary portion of the items to be mailed.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of an address-ing device at lea-st portions of which are brightly colored to facilitate viewing and positioning the same through an element juxtaposed to it-s front surface,

A still further object of the' instant invention is the provision of an addressing devi-ce of the type described having a transfer element in the form of a continuous roll of material, selective lengths of which may 'be readily severed for use.

Other and further objects reside in the combination of elements, arrangement of par-ts, and feautres of construction.

Still -other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed -ou-t as the description of the invention proceeds and as shown in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary top plan View of an assembly comprising an envelope on which the addressing device of the instant invention has been positioned and over which a letterhead has been superimposed;

vFIGURE 2 is an exploded view of the assembly of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary top .plan view of an assembly comprising a letterhead on which =a transfer device in accordance with the instant inventive concept has been positioned and over which a label has been superimposed;

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FIGURE 4 is an exploded view of the assembly of FIGURE y3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged top plan view of one form of the addressing device, parts being broken away for illustrative clarity;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially ou line 6-6 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a par-tial .perspective View of an embodiment of the addressing device of the instant invention in roll form; and

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view similar to FIGUR-E 5 of a modified embodiment of the addressing device of this invention.

Similar reference characters refer -to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing in general, and more particularly to FIGURES 5 and 6, one form of addressing device in accord-ance with the instant inventive concept is designated .generally by the reference numeral 10 and comprises basically a transfer element 12 having a front surface 14 and a rear surface 16, each having an upper edge portions 18 and lower edge portions 20, with oppo-sitely disposed U-shaped connector members 22, 24, each defining front and rear strips 26, 28, and 30, 32 with adhesive means 34, 36, and 38, 40 for temporarily adhering the same elements juxtaposed to the front and rear surfaces 14, 1.6 of the transfer element 12 in a manner and for a purpose to be described in more detail hereinafter. In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 5 and 6 an additional element 42 is interposed between the rear surface 16 of the transfer element 12 and the inner surface of thev rear strips 28, 32 of the connector members 22, 24, the function of this element also being explained herein-after. Additional means (not shown) secures the inner surfaces of the strips 26, 28, 30, and 32 to the transfer element 12 and the additional element 42, if the latter is utilized, still fur-ther adhesive means 44, 46 securing the transfer element 12 and the additional element 42 to each other, if desired.

FIGURE 7 shows a modified embodiment wherein parts similar to the embodiment of FIGURES 5 and 6 carry the same reference numerals followed by -t-he sulix a. In this embodiment the device 10a is in the form of a continuous roll of material, selective lengths of which may be readily severed in -any conventional manner, such as by scissors or the like, with tear olf markings or perfor-ations shown at 48 t-o indicate the conventional length utilized.

'Ihe embodiment of FIGURE 8 is substantially the same as shown in FIGURES 5 to 7, similar parts being indicated =by the same reference numeral followed 'by t-he suix b. In this embodiment the lower connector strip is dispensed with t-o facilitate tearing off the additional element 42b as described hereinafter, perforation-s 50 being illustrated to further facilitate the removal of this element.

The use and operation of the device of the instant in.- vention will now be apparent. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the device 10 may be interposed between a letterhead 52 and an envelope 54 or a label (not shown) and the transfer element 12 will reproduce indicia 56 inscribed by pressure such as typing, writing, or the like on the letterhead 52 to the envelope 54 as shown at 58. In this manner the envelope or label is simultaneously addressed with the addressing of the letterhead thereby precl-uding the possibility of error and simplifying the typing or Writing process. During the inscription of the indicia the device 10 is temporarily secured to the rear of the lletterhead 52 and to the front of the envelope 54 by the adhesive means 34, 36 and 38, 40 in an :obvious manner. I'f t-he inscription is accomplished :by typing, one method fof utilizing the invention will be to introduce the letterhead with the desired c-arbons and copy papers into the typewriter a-n'd align the salme in the correct position for typing the address. The carriage is then rolled forwardly -a sufficient number of lines to permit introducing the device and the envelope behind the letterhead and then returned t-o its original position. Of course, the device Iand the envelope can 'be introduced into the typewriter along with the letterhead if ldesi-red. The device 10 yand envelope can be removed by again rolling the carriage forwardly before proceeding with typing the remainder of the letter, if necessary or desired. In many instances, these elem-ents can remain -in place to be removed as the typing of the letter progresses. The time saved in ravoiding the duplication of typing and in precluding the possibility of error by such duplication has been found t overcome the cost of the device and the time required to use the same.

Referring to FIGURES 3 and 4, a label 60 or an envelope (not shown) may be superimposed over the device and temporarily adhered thereto as explained hereinbefore, with the letterhead 62 underlying the device 10 so that the indicia 64 typed or otherwise inscribed on the label 60 would be reproduced as at 66 on the letterhead 62.

The copy or transfer element may take any conventional form, preferably at least having its rear surface coated with ink. For example, this element may be formed of conventional carbon paper or carbon ribbon. Also, it will be understood that this element may be coated with magnetic ink to facilitate its use in mechanized or automated mail sorting and handling procedures.

The backing strip or additional element may be totally omitted if a label is not being produced or if the transfer element does not need protection on its rear surface. In the event that protection is desired in order to preserve the reproduction qualities of the transfer element, the additional element may be merely in the form of tissue paper or the like which may be readily removed in any conventional manner such as by merely tearing the same off or by severing the same along the perforations 50 prior to use. If additional rigidity or bracing of the device is desirable for handling, this additional element may be of a heavier stock. If a label is to be typed, this additional element may be in the form of the label whereby it will remain in place during the inscription of the indicia to be later removed for attaching the same to an envelope or a package. For such use, this additional element may have any form of adhesive means on the surface remote from the transfer element to facilitate subsequent use. If desired, this element may be partly preprinted or have other characteristics commensurate with its utilization as a label.

The adhesive means 34, 36, 38, and 40 may be formed of any Well known material, preferably a Contact or pressure sensitive adhesive which may be readily removed when the use of the device is completed. The shape of the spots of adhesive material shown are only to be considered illustrative, any shape spots of adhesive material, or a continuous coating of the same being within the scope of the instant invention.

The connector members may secure the assembly of the transfer element and the additional element together in any conventional manner such as by the adhesive means noted hereinabove or by stapling or the like.

A portion of the device, preferably the front upper strip 26, may be brightly colored in order to facilitate viewing the same through the element juxtaposed to the front surface 14 of the transfer element 12 to receive the indicia thereon, whereby the device may be more easily positioned in use.

The distance between the upper and lower edge portions of the device should be adequate for its intended use. For instance, if use with a typewriter is anticipated, it is frequently found that a maximum of ve lines of typing is suicient. The length of the device can be either predetermined for a single use as in the embodiment shown in FIGURE 5, or it may be substantially continuous as in the form of the roll shown in FIGURE 7 or the strip shown in FIGURE 8 whereby selected lengths may be severed prior to use. Any conventional dispensing means may be utilized in conjunction with the device of the instant invention to store and feed the strip or roll material. Also, envelopes may be manufactured With devices in accordance with the instant inventive concept already secured thereto whereby the user will only have to temporarily attach the letterhead during the typing procedure. Likewise, letterheads with devices secured to the rear surface thereof for temporarily adhering the same to envelopes or labels may be provided. For example, the instant inventive concept includes a letterhead or an envelope having a suitable piece of carbon paper or the like secured to its rear surface with spots of adhesive juxtaposed thereto such that the carbon paper may be subsequently removed without leaving any trace of its presence. Similarly, entire assemblies such as shown in either FIG. 1 or FIG. 3 could be prepared for easy use.

It will be obvious that the instant device can be either re-utilized or disposed of after a single use. If the transfer element 12 is to be reused and it is originally prepared with a label as the additional element 42, other labels may be provided with adhesive means on the surface juxtaposed to the transfer element whereby they may be secured thereto to replace the previously used label.

Although spots of adhesive material on the strips defined by the connector members have been illustrated as the preferred form of temporarily adhering the device of the instant invention to the letterhead and the envelope or label, it will be readily understood that the connector members may have portions punched out and turned up to provide increased surface area for carrying the adhesive means.

It Will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved addressing device which satisfies all of the objectives of the instant invention, andothers, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

Since many embodiments may be made of the instant inventive concept, and since many modifications may be made of the embodiments hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

lI claim:

1. An addressing device comprising a transfer element including a front surface and a rear surface each having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion, means carried by said upper edge portion of said front surface for temporarily adhering said transfer element to an element juxtaposed to said front surface, means carried by said upper edge portion of said rear surface for ternporarily adhering said transfer element to an element juxtaposed to said rear surface, and means carried by said transfer element for reproducing indicia inscribed by pressure on the element juxtaposed to said front surface, on the element juxtaposed to said rear surface, a U-shaped connecting member dening a front and a rear strip each having inner and outer surfaces, said inner surfaces of said strips being carried adjacent said upper edge portions of said front and rear surfaces of said transfer element, and said outer surfaces of said strips including adhesive means for temporarily adhering the same to the elements juxtaposed to said front and rear surfaces of said transfer element, respectively.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said connecting member is brightly colored to facilitate viewing the same through the element juxtaposed to said front surface of said transfer element.

3. The structure of claim 1 further including an additional element interposed between said rear surface of said transfer element and said inner surface of said rear strip, said additional element being removably secured to said connector member.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said additional element is a label.

5. The structure of claim 1 further including an additional U-shaped connector member defining a front and a rear strip each having inner and outer surfaces, said inner surfaces of said last-mentioned strips being carried adjacent said lower edge portions of said front and rear surfaces of said transfer element, and said outer surfaces of said last-mentioned strips including adhesive means for temporarily adhering the same to the elements juxtaposed to said front and rear surfaces of said transfer element, respectively.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,705,407 3/29 Jolee 282-22 X 2,256,585 9/41 Stern 282--22 2,503,680 4/50 Newman 282-22 X 2,506,015 5/50 Doepke 282-24 2,648,924 8/53 Brewster 40-2 3,094,342 6/63 Weber 282-28 X 3,113,516 12/63 Johnson 282--28 X 3,133,752 6/64 Schumacher 282-25 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

LAWRENCE CHARLES, Examiner. 

1. AN ADDRESSING DEVICE COMPRISING A TRANSFER ELEMENT INCLUDING A FRONT SURFACE AND A REAR SURFACE EACH HAVING AN UPPER EDGE PORTION AND A LOWER EDGE PORTION, MEANS CARRIED BY SAID UPPER EDGE PORTION OF SAID FRONT SURFACE FOR TEMPORARILY ADHERING SAID TRANSFER ELEMENT TO AN ELEMENT JUXTAPOSED TO SAID FRONT SURFACE, MEANS CARRIED BY SAID UPPER EDGE PORTION OF SAID REAR SURFACE FOR TEMPORARILY ADHERING SAID TRANSFER ELEMENT TO AN ELEMENT JUXTAPOSED TO SAID REAR SURFACE, AND MEANS CARRIED BY PRESSURE ON THE ELEMENT JUXTAPOSED INDICIA INSCRIBED BY PRESSURE ON THE ELEMENT JUXTAPOSED TO SAID FRONT SURFACE, ON THE ELEMENT JUXTAPOSED TO SAID FORNT SURFACE, ON CONNECTING MEMBER DEFINING A FRONT AND A REAR STRIP EACH HAVING INNER AND OUTER SURFACES, SAID INNER SURFACES OF SAID STRIPS BEING CARRIED ADJACENT SAID UPPER EDGE PORTIONS OF SAID FRONT AND REAR SURFACES OF SAID TRANSFER ELEMENT, AND SAID OUTER SURFACES OF SAID STRIPS INCLUDING ADHESIVE MEANS FOR TEMPORARILY ADHERING THE SAME TO THE ELEMENT JUXTAPOSED TO SAID FRONT AND REAR SURFACES OF SAID TRNSFER ELEMENT, RESPECTIVELY. 